About Us

History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Type or paste your funeral home history here.

Our Valued Staff

Ronald Smith

Dr. Ronald E. Smith is the president of Sterling & Smith Funeral Directors; a family owned and operated funeral home that operates in Fresno, Tulare and Dinuba California. Dr. Smith received his Bachelors Degree in Operations Management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Cornell University. He received his Doctorate of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Smith is a licensed funeral director, Certified Funeral Celebrant and trained crematory operator.

Dr. Smith is active in the local community. He is currently on the Board of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Tulare Rotary Club, the Tulare County Boys & Girls Clubs, St. Rita’s Catholic Church Parish Dinner Dance Committee, the Sloane Stephens Foundation and the Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary Committee. He loves to cook, play golf, watch NASCAR and spend time with family. He is passionate about studying the Bible, discussing politics and challenging people to be the best that they can be. His main goal is to help make the world a better place!

Dr. Smith was given a Bible on July 2, 2002 and he has been writing, reflecting and sharing the Word ever since. His ministry is a written one and he speaks to people mostly in his capacity as a Funeral Director. Ron shares his writings via email, Facebook posts and copies that he gives out freely at the family funeral homes and in 2013 he began speaking in churches to spread the word to more people. Dr. Smith is a Catholic and attends St. Alphonsus Church in Fresno and St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Tulare.

Tony Smith, Funeral Director, Crematory Manager, Insurance Agent

Anthony G. Smith is a graduate of California State University at Fresno. Mr. Smith is a licensed funeral director, a licensed crematory manager, insurance agent, and a certified teacher in elementary education. Mr. Smith is also a member of The Rotary Club of Fresno as well as Girls and Boys golf coach for San Joaquin Memorial High School.

Rosemary Sambrano, Office Manager, Arrangement Counselor and Notary

Rosemary Sambrano is one of the office managers of Sterling & Smith Funeral Directors in Fresno. She has been with the company since 2007. Rosemary was a business owner for 25 years in West Fresno. She is also a funeral arrangement counselor and a California Notary.Rosemary is an active outreach partner in her church, Victory Outreach Fresno. She mentors women, and youth who face challenges with drugs and alcohol, and dysfunctional families. She also sits on the board of her church, and holds an Associate Certificate in Divinity from Victory Outreach School of Ministry International. She loves to teach bible study and is a Sunday School Teacher.

Rosemary loves spending time with her family. She is a wife to her husband of 44 years and mother of three children. She also likes to fish, cook, and take her grandchildren to Disneyland. Her true love is the love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and sharing his love to others.

Tina Marquez, Office Manager and Arrangement Counselor

Tina currently serves as an Office Manger and brings over 15 years of experience to our team. She travels between our office locations in Fresno, Tulare and Dinuba compassionately serving our families. Tina has been registered with CA-EDRS and also CA-FDRS and received her certification from the CFDA in 2011 as an Arrangement Counselor. She is bilingual and also serves as our community outreach coordinator.

Roxy Beavers, Arrangement Counselor

Roxy L. Beavers is employed as an Arrangement Counselor at Sterling & Smith Funeral Home in Tulare, California. When not working at the funeral home she is actively working at Living Christ Church, Tulare as the church secretary. While attending Living Christ Church she sings on the praise team and in the choir. She serves as the assistant Bible study teacher for children ages 7 to 11 years old.

Before coming to work at Sterling & Smith Funeral Home, Roxy was a self-employed business owner of Bizzy Beavers Day Care and RB Tax Service operated in her home. She owned and operated her day care for 14 years and her tax service for 6 years. Roxy retired from Southern California Gas Company in 1998 where she worked for 18 years.

She is married, has four children and 11 grandchildren. She occupies a large amount of her time attending soccer games, baseball games, softball games and track meets for her grandchildren who are the joy of her life.

Mario Zendejas, Arrangement Counselor

Mario L. Zendejas lived in the city of Lynwood, California for 25 years where he attended school and graduated in 1991. Mario is a retired drummer and singer; he is also a retired music promoter. He moved to Tulare two and a half years ago [and took advantage of a great opportunity selling advertisements for a local radio station. From this experience he met Ronald E. Smith ED. Ronald gave Mario an opportunity to work for his company Sterling & Smith Funeral Home]. Mario currently serves as a full time Bilingual Arrangement Counselor with more than seven years of experience in the funeral business. He is also in charge of marketing in the local Spanish TV station, churches, and convalescent homes.

In April 2013 Mario became an Ambassador for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, which gave him an opportunity to be involved with the community. By the end of the year the Chamber rewarded him with the Ambassador of the year award. In January 2015 he became the Chair of the Ambassador Committee for the Tulare Chamber of Commerce. In May of 2014 he also became an ambassador for the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and in September of that same year he became a Board Member.

Becoming an Ambassador and a Board Member has given Mario the opportunity to grow and develop professionally. Mario’s favorite thing about being an Ambassador is getting involved with the community, assisting with the Chamber’s great events and meeting numerous people from various businesses.

Debra Burrell, Arrangement Counselor

Debra joined the Sterling & Smith team working at our Tulare, CA. location in 2011.

Same-day Hand Deliveryon All Sympathy Flowers by a Local FloristSend Flowers Now